Carol Friedman Dance Blog

Carol Friedman has been teaching international folk dance, ballroom dance, and line dancing to people of all ages since 2000, with ongoing classes in Petaluma and College of Marin as well as workshops for Greenwood School in Mill Valley, Marin Children's Chorus, Dance Palace Camp, the San Francisco Free Folk Festival, Berkeley Festival of the Oaks, and at parties and events.

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Friday, August 2, 2019

Get ready to dance again! I'll be teaching international folk dance classes on Monday nights in Petaluma and on Wednesday afternoons at College of Marin in Kentfield, as well as Israeli Folk Dance on Thursday afternoons at the Marin JCC.Here's the schedule:Petaluma Folk Dancing - Mondays 7-9:15 p.m., September 9-December 9, Hermann Sons Hall, 860 Western Avenue, PetalumaCollege of Marin International Folk Dance - Wednesdays 2:10-3:20 p.m., August 28-October 2, October 23-December 4 (no class November 27), PE#60, College of Marin, KentfieldIsraeli Folk Dancing - Thursdays, 1:30-4 p.m., September 1-October 10, October17-November 21.Note that there's a special deal (with support from the Haddie Fund) for the College of Marin classes - fee is only $15 (plus your annual $15 EScom membership) for each 6-week session. For this class you need to register in advance by August 19 at: 415-485-9305 or https://marincommunityed.augusoft.net. Hope to see you all on the dance floor!

Friday, June 7, 2019

I can’t tell you how times I’ve heard this from folks who find out I teach folk dance: I can’t dance. I’m really bad at dancing. I’m left-footed. I have no sense of rhythm. My (fill in the blank: wife, partner, friend, PE teacher, mother…) refuses to dance with me.

I beg to differ. I fully believe everyone can dance. I fully believe that everyone can bring joy and fun into their lives through dancing.

How?

Well, the first thing you have to do is stop telling yourself you can’t dance. The words you say, whether out loud or just in your head, are powerful. Telling yourself you can’t dance is the primary thing that’s keeping you from dancing.

Next, find a dance class that is warm, welcoming, and open to newcomers and beginners. And look for a teacher who works actively to integrate newcomers and beginners into the class.

Note that, in my experience, 75% of adults can’t tell their right foot from their left – so you’re in good company. Here’s the trick: when you are in a dance circle facing in standard line of direction (counter-clockwise for the most part, except for those pesky French and Croatians who go the other way), your right foot will be on the outside (and your left foot on the inside).

Then you need to relax. Relax your shoulders and your arms and your knees. Try to feel the rhythm through the hands you are holding. Listen to the music.

Note that there is no rule of dance etiquette that you’re supposed to go the end of the line. In fact, it’s much better for you to find two friendly experienced dancers and stand between them - because one of the very best ways to learn is by letting your fellow dancers help you. And know that different people learn at different paces; some will learn a dance immediately; others will need more time to figure it out.

Every single one of us, beginners to experienced dancers (including me!), makes mistakes – it’s not a sin in folk dancing. No need to feel embarrassed: just laugh, shrug it off, never say oops, and keep moving with the dance circle and the musical beat.

So go out, start dancing, and join in the fun – I promise it will make you a better, happier person.

Monday, February 11, 2019

This month in Petaluma I'm focusing on teaching Greek dances that illustrate the breadth of different styles and rhythms from four regions in the small country of Greece:

Chaniotikos is a lively and fun Cretan syrto that I learned when I was at a dance seminar on the island of Ikaria, from a teacher from Crete who was very specific about styling.

Zagorisios is a wonderful dance in 9/8 rhythm (QQQS) from Epirus.

Sofka is danced in Greek Macedonia, in northern Greece.

Dipat (sometimes spelled Dhipat) is a beautiful, hypnotic Pontic dance in 9/8 rhythm (QQQS), danced very close together in a closed circle.

I learned the last three dances when I was at a dance seminar in the town of Prespa, in Greek Macedonia.

And just to mix it up, next month I'll be teaching two Israeli folk dance favorites: Darkenu (Gadi Bitton, 2002) and Liya (Moshe Eskayo, 2007).Come dance! You can drop-in any time for International Folk Dance on Mondays 7-9:15 p.m. at Hermann Sons Hall,m 860 Western Avenue, Petaluma or Israeli Folk Dance on Thursdays 1:30-4 p.m., Osher Marin JCC, 200 N, San Pedro Road, San Rafael. Beginners and newcomers are always welcome.

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

You've partied and indulged and eaten holiday treats - now's the perfect time to plan your dancing routine for 2019. Dancing is great fun, great exercise, and great community. Here's my schedule for classes in the new year:

International Folk Dance Class at College of Marin: Wednesdays 2:10-3:30 p.m., February 6-March 6 & April 3-May 8, at PE#60, Kentfield Campus, College of Marin; $68 per 6-week session; register in advance at 415-484-9305 or https://marincommunityed.augusoft.net

Thursday, November 1, 2018

It’s party time in Petaluma! Bulgarika Ensemble played for our dancing pleasure on October 22. Musicians Donka Koleva, Nicolai Koleva, Stoyan Kostov, and Michael Ginsburg regaled us with fabulous music including a beautiful version of Zapevela Sojka Ptica featuring Michael on trumpet and a wild Shopkska Racenica that started out deceptively slowly and then pushed our dancing limits.

All photos by George Wiltshire

Coming up next month on Monday, December 10, 7-9:30 p.m., we’re very pleased to host Peter Bonos and Friends, a 5-member band including musicians from Staro Vino and Fanfare Zambaleta, at our Annual Holiday Folk Dance Party. Come dance with us at Hermann Sons Hall, 860 Western Avenue, Petaluma!

About Me

Carol Friedman loves to dance, and to share the dances she loves. She has been dancing since she was a kid, and remembers going Israeli folk dancing with her great-aunt in Central Park, New York. From 1971-81, she taught modern dance throughout the Bay Area, and was co-director/choreographer of Mercury Moving Company. She's been teaching international folk dance to people of all ages since 2000, with ongoing classes in Point Reyes Station, Petaluma, San Rafael (Osher JCC), and Kentfield (College of Marin) as well as workshops for BACDS Fall Frolick, Festival of the Oaks in Berkeley, Greenwood School in Mill Valley, Marin Children's Chorus, Dance Palace Camp, the San Francisco Free Folk Festival, and at birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, and events.